10 Simple Ways to Renew Your Spirit Outdoors

My list of ways to renew your spirit in the outdoors - in chalk in the driveway.

One of my favorite quotes from naturalist and author Rachel Carson is: “Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.” Whenever I feel that world weariness, the outdoors is sure to renew my spirit.

Yesterday, I took a long walk and listened to my all-time favorite musician, John Denver, on my Ipod. Next thing you know, I had come up with a list of 10 things that are sure to make me happy outdoors that, much to my husband’s amusement, I wrote in our driveway in chalk. Somehow that made me feel better, too.

So here is my list of 10 simple ways to find renewal and joy in the great outdoors, in case the world has you feeling weary any time soon:

1. Pick blackberries or raspberries. (In the U.S., blackberries ripen in June in the South and July in the North.)
2. Go camping. State parks are great places to visit and can be found easily online.
3. Sit outside early in the morning and listen to the birds. Better yet, get a bird guide and learn the birds native to your area.
4. Find a stream and sit next to it, play in it, rock hop and wade in it.
5. Have a campfire with family and/or friends.
6. Go canoeing.
7. Listen for owl and whippoorwill calls at night.
8. Take a walk in the woods.
9. Drive to the country with the windows down to see what you can see.
10. Add some John Denver songs to your Ipod and go for a walk. (My favorites: Rocky Mountain High, Annie’s Song, For Baby, Wild Montana Skies).

Tagged as: 10 things to do outside, joy in the outdoors, renew your spirit